Avoiding expensive roaming costs while on a summer holiday this year

26.05.2024 - 09:29 / breakingtravelnews.com

Avoiding expensive roaming costs while on a summer holiday this year.

Unlike physical SIM cards, eSIMs are built into mobile devices and offer users multiple lines that can be switched at their convenience. Because the embedded SIM can be remotely programmed, travellers visiting foreign countries can still use their same number but on a different profile loaded with data, talk time and other mobile services.

This technology’s uptake has been remarkable, particularly in North America and Western Europe. Tens of thousands of sports lovers are expected to descend on Paris for the Olympics in July and August, and its popularity is expected to surge even further.

In the international travel space alone, the global number of eSIM users will increase from 40 million this year to 215 million in 2028, according to findings released by research giant Juniper in April.

Juniper also forecasts that the global eSIM market will grow from £803 million in 2024 to almost £7 billion in four years. These figures are based mainly on the fact that nearly 400 mobile service providers have launched these services for smartphones across 116 countries since June last year.

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“One of the biggest draws of eSIMs for travellers is avoiding expensive international roaming charges from their home carrier,” says Mark Collie, Director at global eSIM service provider KnowRoaming.

“Frequent travellers also need seamless global coverage without having to purchase multiple local SIM cards in each country, so they look for options that cover multiple travel destinations under one plan.”

Collie makes the critical point that travellers also want the flexibility to keep their primary SIM in

their device to receive incoming calls and SMSes, ensuring they remain reachable on their regular number while utilising an eSIM for data services.

He advises that customers always look for established brands in the eSIM space, positive user reviews, and excellent customer support channels when selecting an eSIM provider.

Various platforms offer different methods for purchasing and activating an eSIM. Some facilitate the process through their website, while others provide a dedicated app.

Irrespective of the platform, the digital purchasing flow is straightforward. Users click on an install link or button, scan a QR code or enter a provided activation code, and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process. From there, it’s simply a matter of switching the mobile data connection to the new eSIM profile and enabling data roaming for that particular channel.

Considering that costs tend to skyrocket in cities hosting events like the Olympics, travellers must compare the pricing of different packages against their usage requirements.